A Lake Wales woman who allegedly crashed a vehicle into a fire hydrant is facing multiple charges after police say she fought with officers during the subsequent investigation and struck one officer in the face.
Amber Huffman, 29, was arrested August 27 after Lake Wales Police responded to a vehicle crash near First Street and Orange Avenue at approximately 6:47 p.m.
According to the arrest affidavit, an officer was advised while responding that the driver was attempting to leave the scene. When the officer arrived, he reported seeing Huffman getting out of the driver’s seat of a black vehicle.
Police said Huffman immediately claimed she had not been driving.
The officer began investigating the crash, which the affidavit states involved a fire hydrant. According to police, Huffman told the officer she did not have a driver’s license and then attempted to walk away.
The officer reported that Huffman appeared extremely nervous, repeatedly attempted to leave, spoke rapidly and had glassy eyes. Concerned she might flee, the officer attempted to place her in handcuffs.
Police say Huffman then began resisting.
According to the affidavit, Huffman repeatedly tensed and pulled away from the officer. As the officer attempted to secure her, police allege she began throwing her body and arms and pushing the officer.
The officer eventually escorted Huffman to a nearby wall while waiting for additional officers. A Lake Wales Fire Department firefighter assisted in holding Huffman while officers secured her in handcuffs, according to the report.
The confrontation allegedly continued after Huffman was taken to a patrol vehicle.
Police said Huffman repeatedly attempted to get out of the vehicle and refused commands to remain inside. While officers continued investigating the crash, Huffman allegedly began banging on the patrol car window and managed to slip one of her hands out of the handcuffs.
Officers removed Huffman from the vehicle to secure her hands behind her back again. Police allege she continued pulling away, pushing against officers and bracing herself against the vehicle in an effort to prevent officers from placing her back inside.
Eventually, officers were able to gain control of Huffman.
According to the affidavit, as officers were placing her into the back seat, Huffman allegedly struck an officer in the facial area with her elbow, knocking the officer’s agency-issued hat to the ground.
Huffman was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center.
Because officers suspected impairment, a 20-minute observation period was conducted. Huffman subsequently provided two breath samples, both of which registered .00 g/210L, according to the affidavit.
Police said they suspected possible impairment by a controlled substance and requested a urine sample. Huffman provided the sample, which was sent for processing. No results from that testing were included in the affidavit.
Police said Huffman later admitted she had been driving the vehicle and told officers the vehicle had been experiencing mechanical problems prior to the collision.
A records check reportedly showed Huffman’s driver’s license had been suspended since February 21, 2022, for failure to pay traffic citations.
Huffman was arrested on charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, DUI property damage, DUI alcohol or drugs, driving while license suspended or revoked and resisting an officer without violence.
